MONEY & SPENDING

  • Tanzania’s unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling but our advice is to use US Dollars only – and in cash: credit cards and travellers cheques (although accepted in most establishments) incur hefty transaction fees.
  • ATMs are found throughout the major towns in Tanzania but in case they are out of service you should always have a supply of back-up cash.

Note that : Due to the number of fake notes in circulation, no US Dollar bills printed before 2003 will be accepted in Tanzania.

CLIMATE

  • Average summer temperatures: 18°C to 29°C
  • Average winter temperatures: 15°C to 26°C
  • Rainy season: mid-March to May (“long rains”) and November to December (“short rains”).
  • Refer to “best time for Safari in Tanzania” for climate, details on the best wildlife-viewing times and when to witness the Serengeti migration.

FLIGHTS & GETTING AROUND

Dar-es-Salaam International Airport: Tanzania’s main airport is the gateway to the Indian Ocean coast and Zanzibar as well as Selous Game Reserve.

Kilimanjaro International Airport : Tanzania’s second international airport serves the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and Lake Manyara. However, you need to transfer to nearby Arusha Airport for charter flights to these destinations and, as international flights often arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport late in the day, a night in Arusha is usually necessary.

Arusha Airport: located 30km from Kilimanjaro Airport, this is the gateway to northern Tanzania’s fly-in safari airstrips. Given the size of Tanzania and the condition of its roads, charter flights are considered the best way to get around the country. Road transfers and game drives in Tanzania are conducted in open-sided 4X4 vehicles though visitors to Gombe and Mahale will enjoy a boat transfer across Lake Tanganyika.

ETIQUETTE

Religious belief is strong in Tanzania with Christianity and Islam dominating. Most Muslims live on the coast and in Zanzibar; visitors should be aware of the conservative nature of these destinations and dress and behave accordingly.

Tanzanians are renowned for being friendly and harmonious people; however it is courteous to ask permission before photographing people.